Machine for scrubbing and oiling leather



June 17, 1930. E. H. SMITH MACHINE FOR SCRUBBING AND OILING LEATHER Filed Deo. 23, '1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l June 17,l 1930; E. H. SMITH MACHINE FOR SCRUBBING AND OILING LEATHER Filed negs, 1927 s sheets-sheet 2 .I unel', 1930. E. H. SMITH A MACHINE FOR SCRUBBINGl AND OILING LEATHER Filed Dec. 23, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT: rori-*ier l ELMERH. SMITH, oF Nnrcofrfr, NEW YORK.: nssieNoR ToENDIooTr JoHNsoN oonronA'rIoN, `or ENnIco'r'r,` NEW Yoan-A vCORPORATION or NEW YORK AInici-:HNE Fon SCRUBBING `AND orLrNG LEATHER f Application mea December 23,'` 19257. seriaim. 242,235.

This invention is a novel improvement in leather scrubbing-and oiling machines, and the principal objectthereof is to provide a simple v'and efficient machine particularly '5 adapted to scrub, by a brushing operation, sheets of sole leather 'and the like sprayed with hot water andpassing through the machineforthe purpose of cleaning the leather, and then tofill the scrubbed leather with an oiling` compound in order tomake the leather flexible, and Vthen to brush the oiling compound into the leather.

' Heretofore, oilingcompounds have been y applied toleather by means of a hosejwhich sprayed thecompoundover the leather as as leather passed lover spraying tables. s ocalled. These tablesA were usually fitted with depressions or grooves into which the oiling compoundl iiowed, the compound then flowingback into a storage tank fromwhich it was later re-pumped through the hoseand sprayed .over other pieces ofleather.` In

this operation obviously the,` oiling compound became pollutedwithingredients extracted c from Vthe leather itself, including dirt and grease,"s'o that after three or four hours use the entire tank full ofoiling compound had tobe thrown away; This proi cedure was hence very wasteful.

"T y `My machine, however, as will bevherein` after explained, maintains the oiling compound clean and pure, since the machine ap.- plies to the leather onlyenough compound in each case as is needed for the particular piece of leather being treated.

I` will explainlthe invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate `one practical embodiment thereof to enable others familiarwith the fart to vIn said drawings:

l `Figure l is a side elevationof the machine 'showing-the chain and sprocket drives for rotating vthe carrier and brush' shafts,I

and showing in dot and ldash lines tthe main '350 drive shaft.v

Fig. 2yis 4a broken top plan view of the complete machine.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal` sectional view through the machine. A Fig. 4 isa plan viewof the'chain and sprocket drives for' the Carrier shafts.`

f F ig. 5 is a detail of theyieldable bearf ings for the brush shafts.v Y

As shown in the drawings, the machine preferably consists of` a rectangular frame,

comprising four vertically disposed corner posts or angle irons l, l", lilla, connected together at' their lower ends by side bars 1 and end bars lf." The upper ends of posts la, 1b, 'and' posts 1c 1d, are connected together by end bars lg'. l l `Intermediate thecorner posts la, l, and postsv lb, 1*?,at each side of the frame are vposts 1h, 1J'. Corner posts l?, 1b, are preferably shorter than corner posts l, ld, and shorter'than intermediate posts 1h, ily-#the 4four latter posts being substantially the same height'. Preferably theentire .frame is built up of angle-irons orfother structural shapes.,` Suitable bracing members may be provided, if and where needed.A f

, Extending between the posts l, lh, an

posts 1b, 11", at tihe sides of the frame are horizontally disposed beams 1"', lm, disposed at a convenient height below the upper ends of said posts; and between the posts l, l,

and the posts 11', 10, are horizontally disposed beams l, 1P,`preferably disposedat ahigherelevation than beams 1k, 1m, vsaid i beams Ik, 1?, l and lp, being adaptedV to vsupport the bearings for the carrier shafts,

hereinafter referred to.

`Mounted` in suitable bearings upon the horizontal beams l1?, lm are vfour parallel horizontally disposed carrier `shafts,2, 3, 4,

and 5. "On shafts, '3, 4,' and 5 respectively, are a series of carrier disks or wheels 2,"3?, 43, anda, respectively, all of same diameter and arranged staggered relationV upon the shafts shown, the wheels of one shaft overlapping the wheels of` the adjacent shafts as shown in 3, ,and the `wheels. together forming anendless conveyor .for moving the .leather sheet `L` (shown indotted lines in Fig. 3) through the machine.

Similarly, three parallel horizontally disposed carrier shafts 6, 7, and 8 are mountedV 7 a, and 8a, respectively of same size as wheels 223s, A4?, anda, andI shafts 6, 7 ,.and 8, and forming 'ap continuation of the, endless conveyor for the leather' L passing through the machine.

Intermediate the shafts 5 and 6 is a parallel shaft 9 mounted in suitable bearingsliixed'to the sides of intermediateposts 11,'15; the axis of shaft 9 lying in the plane ofthe axes of shafts 5 and 6. Shaft 9 is likewise provided with a series of carrier disks or `wheels 9a which are staggered in relation'to and overlap the wheels 5 and ,6,a of shafts 5 and 6; said wheels 9 forming a means for passing the leather L from the lower level of shafts 2, 3, 4, and `5to the higher level of shafts lv6, 7, and 8, whereby asthe leather L is passed through the machine from the shaftf2'towards the shaft `8, the wheels 91 of shaft 9 will `carry the leather in ,an-inclined plane nfrom the lower level to theupperlevel of the carrier shafts. Shafts 2, 3,74, 5, 9, 6, 7, andn8, extend beyond the frame members 1?, 1p, as vshown in Figs. l1 and 4 and are provided with the chain vsprockets for driving the shafts as hereinafter explained.-

, 0n shaft 2'is Va sprocket 12b, and on shaft Bli's a sprocketb around which runs a rchain 10, thesprocket 3h lhaving one lesstooth thanr the sprock`etv2bA whereby shaft 3 will rotate lslightly faster than shaft 2. Y` On shaft 3`is a'second sprocket 3C, and on shaft rpo ' 14 runsoversprockets6band 9u on shafts 6 and19 respectively, sprocket 6b having onev less 'tooth lthan sprocketV 9C; also -achain 15 runsfover spyrockets7b and 6c von shafts 7 and 6 respectively, jsprocket'7b having one less tooth than Vsprocket 69; and a chain 16 'runs around sprockets 8b and 7 C on shafts Sand 7 respectively, sprocket 8b having one less tooth than sprocket 7c.. Y y Y, Y y l'From vthe above description: it vwill be readily understood lthat yeach :shaftfprogressing from shaft 2 toV shaft v8 rotates slightly faster than the preceding shaft, for the purpose hereinafterset forth. Shaft 8 is positively driven by means of a chain 17 which runs over a sprocket 18a on a power shaft 18 (hereinafter referred to) and over a sprocket 8c on the end of shaft 8, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Between the posts 121, respectively, and uprights 1J', 1c, respectively, are vertically adjustable horizontally disposed beams 19 land 20, disposed parallel withand above the fixed horizontal beams 1, 11, said beams `19 and 20 .being adjustab'ly connected to the upper ends of the posts 1h, 11, 1c and 1d. Beams 19 and 20 'are provided with bolts 19a, 20a, at their ends adjacent the uprights 1C, 1d, which bolts pass through slots 1q vertically disposed in the sides of uprights 1C, 1d. Depending from the end beam 1g, at the tops of the uprights 1, 1d, above the beams 19 and 20, are adjustable bolts 19", 20b which engage the beams 19, and 2() to support the rear ends'ofsam'e in desired elevation. Similarly, the beams 19,20, are provided adjacent the uprights 1h, 1?', with bolts 20C, adapted to pass through slots 1r in the uprights 11%, 11', the adjacent ends Vof the beams 19 and 20 beingsupported by Y adjustable bolts 19d, 20d, engaging brackets 1s on the sides of the posts 1h, 13. Hence, by yadjusting the bolts 19", 20h, 19, 20, the beams'19 and'20 can be'adjusted to any desired elevation' with respect to the shafts 6,7, and 8. A

The inner ends of beams 19,20, are pro'- vided intermediate the posts la, 1h, and 1b, 11,

Vwith vdepending portions 19e, 20e provided withvertically disposed slots 2Ot adapted to'be engaged by bolts 213,22, on horizon# tallydisposed beams A21, 22, respectively disposed between the posts 1a and the depending portion 19e of beam` 19, andbetween the post 1"l and the depending portion 20e of'beam 2O respectively, as Vshown in Figs. 1 and 3; said ends of beams 21,' 2-2, adjacent depending portions19?, 20e, being adjustably supported by bolts 21D, 22h, depending from brackets 19g, 2Og on depending portions 19e, 208i The ends of'bcams 21, 22 adjacent the uprights l, lb, are supported by bolts 21C, 22c passing through end beam 1g in a manner similar to bolts 19h,20", said endsof beams 21, 22 having'bolts 21d, 22d 0n their sides engaging slots 1t in the sides of posts 11, 1b, for supporting theadjacent ends of beams 21 and 22 in proper adjusted position with respect' to the shafts 2,' 3, 4, and '5. Hence,vby 'manipulating the bolts 2lb, 22b and bolts 21, 22c, the horizontal beams 21, 22 may be adjusted into and maintained in proper elevation to suit the thickness, of the leather passing through the machine Upon the beams 21, 22, are mounted parallel brush shaftsy 23, 24, '25, ywhich are preferably staggered, as shown in Fig. `3, with respect tocarriershafts 2, 3, 4, `and 5; said shafts being mounted in vertically yieldable bearings as vshown in Fig.4 5, mounted on the tops of beams 21, 22. 'Each shaft 23, 24,25 carries a brush 23a, 24a, 25, extending substantially the full length of the shaft between beams 21, 22, and'by reason of their adjustable bearings, the brushes may yield vertically in order to `allow vfor different thicknesses of leather L'inserted between the brushes, and the disks or wheels of the shafts 27 3, 4, and 5. Mounted in bearings upon the sides of the depending portions 19e, 20?, of the horizontal beams 19 and 20 is aA brush shaft 26 `parallel with shafts 23, 24, and and carrying a brush 26, similar to brushes 23?, 24a,and.25a'.

Mounted in Vbearings upon thebeams 19 and 20 arethree parallel brush shafts27, 28, 29, said shafts carrying brushes 27, 28, 29aL respectively, similarto brushes 23, 24a, 25a and 26a. Each ofshafts 27, 28 and 29 is'mounted similarly Vto shafts 23', 24, 25, in vertically yieldable bearings (Fig. 5) in order to permit the shafts to yield vertically, and thus allow for difference in the thickness of the leather L. In rear of shaft 29 is thepower shaft18 mounted in suitable bearings upon beams `19 and 20, said shaft carrying a sprocket 18h (Figs. 1 and 2) which `is driven'by a chin 18C from a Vlsuitable piime mover shaft P, which may be the shaft of an electric motor or the like. If desired, suitable reducing gearing (not shown) may be interposed between prime mover shaft P and the sprocket 18b in order to reduce the speed of rotation of said shaft; On the ends of shafts 23 and 24 are sprockets 23b and 24h respectively, over which runs a chain 30, sprocket 24b having one less tooth than the sprocket 23", whereby shaft 24 `will rotate slightly faster than shaft 23` VSimilarly, a chain 31 runs over sprockets24c and 25b of shafts 24 and 25 respectively, sprocket 25b having one less tooththan sprocket 24c whereby shaft 25 v will rotate lslightly faster than shaft 24;

also a chain 32 runs around sprockets 25c and 26b on shafts 25 and 26 respectively, sprocket 26b having one less tooth than sprocket 25; also a lchain 33 runs around sprockets 27b and 26on shafts 27 and 26 respectively, sprocket 27" having one less tooth than 26"; also a chain 34 runs around sprockets 27c and 28"b on shafts `27, 28, respectively, sprocket 28b vbeing smaller than 27; and a chain 35 runs around' sprockets 28c and` 291 on shafts 28, 29, sprocket 29b being smaller than 28c whereby shaft 29 will rotatefaster than shaft 28. M Y

Shaft 29 is geared to drive shaft 18 by means of a gear 29c meshing with a gear 18d on drive shaft 18. Hence brush shafts 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 28, and 29 each are driven y from drive shaft 118, each shaft commencing with shaft 23 being positively drivens'lightly faster than the preceding shaft.

Upon the horizontal beams 19 and 20 sub` stantially: directly overthe upiights 1h, 1j, is a grooved oil`r'oll-37a mountedon a shaft 37, said roll 37"11 contacting with brush 27?'. In the frame below 37a isa pan 38 (Fig. 3) into which is fed the oiling compound-,ras hereinafter explained. The: amount ofoil taken up from 4the pan 38 by roll 37a` is regulated-by raising or lowering ofroll 37av `so that `the same will dip more or less into pari 38. Roll 37ai-transfersfthe Voiling compound to brush 27a, which spreads the compound upon the leather' L `passing thereunder and through the machine. Shaft 37 is provided on one end with a sprocket 371U and a chain 39'passes overthe sprocket 37b` and overa sprocket-48e on the'drive shaft 18, whereby shaft 37'is'rotated thereby.

Hot water is -used in the scrubbing operas tion,'the hot water being supplied ythrough pipes 40 from asuitable source of supply, and discharged through spray pipes 41,-vdisf posed horizontally intermediate the brushes 23', 24a, whereby the upper side. of the leather L will be wetted as the leather lpasses through the machine .as'shownV in Fig; 3, suitable valves (not shown): being `int-erposed in pipes 40for the purpose of' regulating the amount` of Water discharged through sprayv pipes 41. Y i

Cn the `opposite i side of the `,machine from the `drive chains and sprockets are two cil containers C and C (Fig. 2) which are connected at -the lower ends `through `valved pipes 42, 43 with the inlet ofanoilupump 44j. rotated `by a motor M, the. pump-outlet being connected with: a pipe 45 whichdischarges into the oil pan 38 disposed beneath the oil yioll 37a. The oil compound mayv be pumped fromeither container CorC and kept under constant flow ythrough the pipe 45 into the pan 38. The oil compound-is returned to the containers C or C" through ico an overflow or chain pipe 46 having `valved branches 47 and 48.` Only o ne barrel of compound is used at a time; Vthis being regulated to opening orclosing theivalves 1n pipes 42, 43, 47 ,"and 48. `The oil) compound. is kept near the Vboiling point in thecontainers C and C. by means of steam coils-49 and`50 respectively which coils are supplied throughivalves '49a and 50a, with steam from a main 51. Theuse of the two containers C and C renders available at all times one of the containers for use in mixing and preparing the compound, VWhile the other container is being usedto supplyfthepan 38 i with `thenecessary `compound `to voil `the leather` f u l" In operation, the leather L is fed into the machine, lengthwise, between the carrier wheels 2 andthe brush 23, andthe several ist carrier shafts pull the leather .Lv intov v-the machine Vand mov-e it on during the scrubbing and oiling operations. Brush rolls 23a, 24a, and 25, rotating at higher speeds than shafts 2, 3, 4, 5, scrub the leather-for the purpose of cleaning it, while hot water i11- troduced through vpipes 40 from a'hot water main is sprayed through-the spray pipes 4l upon the top of the leather L. Whilefthe leather is wet with the hot water, the scrubbing brushes 23%, 24a, 25a, clean'it,A These brushes also tend to smooth out any wrinkles in the leather, as do the carrier wheels 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a, for the reason that every brush and every wheel moves at a slightly higher speed than the one preceding it, as, above explained. i Y f After the leather has been scrubbed, it then passes up the incline over' wheels 9a, being :guided by brush 26, and passes underneath pan 38, and then under brushes27a, 28a, 29a, the leather being moved vby the underlying carrier wheels 6a, 7a and 8a. fBrush 26a merely serves to guide the yleather as it mounts the incline to pass underneath the pan 38. -The oiling'compound is kept at a constant level in pan 38 by means'of the overflow pipe 46, and the grooves in roll a'pick up the compound from'the pan 38 and saturate the brush 27L constantly therewith,lthe amount of compound to beplaced on the yleather being regulated byv raising or lowering roll 37;so that it will dip more` or less deeply as desiredinto thepan38. Roll 27a brushes the compound on the leather, and rolls 28a and 29a brush the compound into the leather, so that-when' the leather finally emerges `from the rear endof the machine it isthoroughly filled with the compound. It will be noted that all of the compound which is applied to the leather remains with it, and that none of it flow back into the pan 38, and hence no compound passes from the leather back into the containers C or C and the compound is at-all times clean and free from foreign matter.

Preferably one-third slippageis obtained between the brushes and carrier wheels to give the'scrubbing'effect'andto rub the oil compound into the leather andalso to smooth out any wrinkles whichmay lexist in the leather. All of the brush shafts are mounted in bearings which are helddown by coil springs-and which may yieldvertically to make wider-.openings between the rolls to accommodate leather of different thickness, or to make way for special wrinkles or bunches in the leather.-v e

The machine is preferably geared vdown through several series ofchains and sprockets so that the rolls rotate rather slow. This makesit unnecessary to use roller bearings in the machine. The bearings are oiled by any suitable means such as by tubes atfone end of the machine leading to the bearings and being provided with alemite valves or thev like at their outer ends for greasing purposes.

- The entire top portionY of the frame ofthe machine, vthat is the portion which supports theupper layer or brushrolls, is made adjustable'vertically for the purpose of taking up any wearwon the brushes.

f I do not-limit my invention to4 the exact formshown in the drawings, for obviously changes-may be made therein within' the scope ofthe claims.

I claim 1.-In `a leather scrubbing machine, a

. frame, a plurality of closely adjacentv carrier wheels Amounted in said frame for supporting the leather; Va set of rotary brushes mounted in the frame above the'carrier wheels, and adapted to contact with the leather; means for rotating the carrier wheels and brushes in theopposite directions to convey the leather through 'the machine; and means for wetting the4 leather passing through the machine. i

2. In a machine as set` forth in claim l, frame members adjustably mounted above the carrier wheels; and said brush shafts being mountedk on said members. 1.3. In combination with a machinev asset forth in claim l, means for oiling one of said brushes, comprising a vcylinder rotatably mounted in the frame and adapted to con- Atact withythe'said brush; and an oil pan cooperating with said cylinder.

y 4.' In a leather scrubbing machine, a frame, a plurality of closely adjacent carrier shafts mounted-in said-frame carrying carrier wheels for supporting the leather;a set of rotary brushes mounted inthe frame above said carrier wheels and adapted to Contact with the leather ;v means for rotating the carrier and brush shafts in opposite directions to convey the leather through the machine; means for rotating each shaft of each set in the same direction and at a speed slightly greaterthan that of the shaft im mediately preceding same; and means for wetting the leather passingv through the machine. V l y5. In a machine as set forth in claim 4t, said rotating means comprising sprockets mounted' on the shafts of each set; chains running over the spro'cketson the adjacent shafts in ,each set; the sprockets on each shaft in progression being smaller than the sprockets` on the shaft immediately precedingA` samegra-drive shaft mounted in the frame; and means for drivingV one shaft in each setfi'o'm the drive shaft.

6. In a leather scrubbing machine, a frame, a set of shaftsmounted in said frame; a plurality of carrier wheels mounted one-said Vvshafts, 'the wheels of each shaft overlapping the wheels .of the adjacent shafts; a set of rotary brushes mounted in the frame above said set of shafts; means for rotating the carrier and brush shafts in the opposite direction; and means for wetting the leather passing through the machine.

7. In a leather scrubbing machine, a frame, a set of parallel shafts mounted in said frame; a plurality of carrier Wheels mounted on said shafts, the wheels of each shaft being staggered with respect to and overlapping the wheels of the adjacent shafts; a set of rotary brushes mounted in the frame above said carrier shafts; means for rotating the carrier and brush shafts in opposite directions; each shaft of each set being rotated in the same direction and at a speed slightly greater than that of the shaft immediately preceding same; and means for wetting the leather passing through the machine. i

8. In a. machine as set forth in claim 7 said rotating means comprising sprockets mounted on the shafts of each set; chains running over the sprockets on adjacent shafts in each set; the sprockets on each shaft in progression being smaller than the sprockets on the shaft immediately preceding same; a drive shaft mounted in the frame; and means for driving one shaft in the two sets in opposite directions from the drive shaft. i

9. In a leather scrubbing machine, a frame, a set of parallel shafts mounted in said frame; a plurality of carrier wheels of same diameter mounted on said shafts, the wheels of each shaft being staggered with respect toV and overlapping the Wheels of the adjacent shafts and adapted to convey the leather through the machine; a set of parallel rotary brushes mounted in the frame above said carrier shafts and adapted to contact With the leather; means for rotating the carrier and brush shafts in opposite directions; each'shaft of each set being rotated in the same directions and at a speed slightly greater than that of the shaft immediately preceding same; the brush shafts being rotated at higher .speeds than the carrier shafts; and means for Wetting the leather passing through the machine.

10. In a machine of the character specifled, a frame, a set of carrier wheels mounted in said frame for supporting a leather hide; a set of rotary brushes mounted in the frame above said carrier wheels and adapted to contact with the leather; means for rotating the carrier wheels and brushes in the opposite direction to convey the leather through the machine; and means for'oiling the leather as it passes through the machine.

11. In a machine of the character specified, a frame, a set of carrier Wheels mounted in said frame for supporting a leather hide; Va set of rotary brushes mounted in the frame above said carrier wheels and adapted to VAcontact with the leather; means for rotating the carrier wheels and brush shafts in opposite direction to convey the leather throughthemachine; means `for r0- tating the shafts of each set in the same direction and at a speed slightly greater than that of the shaft immediately preceding same; and meansfor oiling the leather as it passes through the machine.

12. In a machine of the character specified, a frame, a set of shafts mounted in said frame; a plurality of carrier wheels mounted on said shafts, the wheels of each shaft overlappingthe Wheels of the adjacent shafts; a set of rotary brushes mounted in the frame above said" first set of shafts; means for Vrotating the carrier and brush shafts in the opposite direction; and means for oiling the leather passing through the machine. i

13. In a machine of the character specified, a frame, a set of parallel shafts mounted in said frame; a plurality of carrier wheels mounted on said shafts, the wheels of each shafts being staggered with respect to and overlapping the wheelsv ofthe adjacentv shafts; a set of rotary brushes mounted in the frame above said carrier shafts; means for rotating the carrier and brush shafts in opposite directions, each shaft of each setV being rotated in the same direction and at a speed slightly greater than that of the shaft immediately preceding same; and means for oiling the leather passing through the machine. i

14. In a machine as set forth in claim 13 said oiling means comprising a grooved cylinder rotatably and adjustably mounted in the frame and adapted to Contact with one of said brushes; means for rotating said shaft; a pan mounted in the frame below the cylinder; a pair of oil reservoirs; overow pipes connecting the pan and reservoirs; an oil pump; and pipe connections between the reservoirs, pan, and pump, whereby the pan maybe supplied from either reservoir.

15. In a machine of the character specified, a frame, a set of parallel shafts mounted in said frame; a plurality of carrier wheels of same diameter mounted on said shafts, the Wheels of each shaft being staggered with respect to and overlapping the wheels of the adjacent shafts and adapted to convey the leather through vthe machine; a set of parallel rotary brushes mounted in the frame above said carrier shafts and adapted to contact with the leather; means for rotating the carrier and brush shafts in the opposite directions; each shaft of each set being rotated in the same direction and at a speed slightly greater than that of the shaft immediately preceding same; the brush shafts being rotatedat higher speeds than the carrier shafts; and Vmeans for supplying oil to one of the 'intermediate brushes to oil the leather passing through the machine.

16. In combination with amachne as set forth inr claim 15 said oiling means comprising a grooved cylinder rotatably and adjustably mounted in the frame and adapted to Contact with one of said brushes; means' for rotating said cylinder; a pan mounted'in the frame below the cylinder; a pair of oil reservoirs; steam Vcoils in said reservoirs; a pump; a Valved overow pipe from the pan to the reservoirs; and Valved pipe connections from the reservoirs to the pan through the pump, whereby oil may be supplied to the pan fromv either reservoir.

In testimony'that I Claim thefforegoing as my own, I aiiX my signature.

ELMER H. SMITH. 

